In the middle of the 1970's a demand for
better cab's for new tractors than the ones on the
MF100-1000 series tractors become more and more important. In
September 1977 there was a legal requirement for all new tractors to have
a cab with noise levels inside not over 90db.

Massey Ferguson created a totally new
tractors series to fulfil this requirement. The MF-500 range introduced
on the marked in 1976.

The new MF-500 range utilized remote
linkage so all controls were mounted in the cab and not on the tractor
body like before. The cab's floor was flat for the first time on a Massey
Ferguson tractor. The heating and ventilations system was improved. Other
improvements was new hydraulics and PTO drive. The basic drive line was
based on the previous MF100 line. The design of the tractor was similar to
the older MF1185 - MF1135 tractors. The new "Supercab" are light years
ahead of the earlier 100 series.

The new rang was: MF550 replacing the
MF148, MF565 replacing the MF165, MF575 replacing the MF168, the MF590
replacing the MF185/188 and the MF595 replacing the MF1080* from 1978 the
MF575, MF590 and MF595 become available with 4wd. The rang was in
production until 1982.

The Massey Ferguson
595-2, the 595-4 and the 590-4 all 1980 models

*)The
MF1085
was introduced on the American marked in 1973 and sold in Europe as the
MF595 mark I. the MF595 introduced with the new MF500 range was a updated
version named the MF595 mark II.

The smallest of the new range. 47 hp
from a Perkins A3.152S engine. Replacing the MF-148 tractors.
Two versions vas available standard and "premium". Premium had Multi
Power, and better equipped cab with windscreen washer, a heater and better
seat. A great small and light tractor,. A very good cab, bullet
proof engine low running costs, but only adequate brakes and modest lift
capacity.

Dateline:

May 1976: Launched.
February 1977: Premium spec cab becomes standard. July 1979: Facelift,
two-door cabs, new seat, tinted glass and radial rear tyres. July 1980:
Cab red up to the roof. March 1981: New front grille, new lights. February
1982: end of production.

MF550
1977 model with loader

MF550
pre July 1979

MF550
pre July 1979

MF550
pre July 1979

MF550 past July 1979

This is a post 1980 model.

The last 8 pictures are scanned from Classic
Tractor UK.

Instrumentation, note the tachometer with
anti-clockwise register.

Drum brakes, not the best stopping power in
the 500 series.

Hydrostatic steering was standard equipment.

A3.152S Engine

MF550

Some specifications.

Serial
numbers:

Year

From

To

Production

1976

615001

615192

192

1977

615193

616890

1698

1978

616891

619007

2117

1979

619008

619910

903

1980

619911

620530

620

1981

620531

620721

190

1982

620722

620767

46

Specifications:

Engine
type:

Perkins
AD3.152

PTO:

540/1000 r/min

Cylinder/capacity:

3/2500ccm3

Oil Pump
capacity:

-

Power
output (HP):

47/2250 r/min

Wight:

2083 kg

Torque:

180
Nm/1300 r/min

Tires
front:

6.0 x 16 or 6.0 x 19

Gears:

8 x 2 or
12 x 4 Multi Power *

Tires
rear:

11 x 28 or 11 x 32

Lift
capacity

1415kg

Top speed:

30km/h with 11 x 32 rears.

Total production was 5766 tractors

Disadvantages
with the new design.

On all models in the MF500 range
till mid 1979, there was only one door to the cab, on the left side. This
was not always popular. And in the middle of 1979 the second door was
introduced. In the middle of 1980 all cabs were painted red up to the
roof. And then in 1981 a new grille with integral headlamps was
introduced. (not on all models) Another problem was the complex cab/control
layout. It was very expensive to service the tractor. Much of the
cab had to be removed for more complex service than before.

The single door
system

Updated 30.04.06

The MF560

The "missing" model pictured at
least... EricNieuwenhuis from Nederland sent me this picture of the
MF560. Must be an rather uncommon model, haven't found information about the
MF560 on internet at all. Thanks to Eric for the info and the picture.

The MF560, produced from 1976-82. It had a Perkins
AD.4.203 engine producing 56 hp.

The second model in the range. It has a
Perkins AD4.236 engine developing 60hp. Replacing the MF-165
tractor Compared to the MF165 it had a new engine. Actually the MF565 have
a derated MF575 engine instead of the MF165's
AD4.212 engine.

More information and pictures of the
MF565 needed.

A
MF-565.

An
early 1980 model with the right door, but without the red colour on the
cab.

Then next in the range, the
Massey Ferguson 575. The MF-575 had a Perkins AD4. 236 engine, similar to
the one in the MF-565. But with a slightly bigger power output of 66 hp. It
replaced the MF-168 tractor.

The MF575 was the "smallest" of the 500
range you could get with 4x4.

More information and pictures of the
MF575 needed.

A
early MF-575.

An
late MF-575 note the red cab.

An
early MF-575 model without the right door.

A
MF-575 working

A
1979 model, an early one before the right door, see next pic. Note the missing door.

One of the last MF575, a 1982 model, note the
right door and that the cab is painted red all over.

-

-

A
early MF-575-4wd tractor.

And
a late MF-575 tractor.

The one on the picture at right, I am not
sure what model, the picture said MF575, it looks smaller. and the cab
looks like the on on the bigger MF26XX models.

Then biggest in the
ordinary new MF-500 range was the MF-590 (the MF-595 was slightly
different) The MF-590 had a Perkins AD4. 248 engine. It
replaced the MF-185/188 tractor.
From 1978 it become available with 4WD

There
was a special version of the MF-590 equipped with a turbo charger.
the engine was the same as in the ordinary 590. But the power output
was 90Hp. It's easy reckoned bye the exhaust system. there was also
a little sign telling what was extra-TURBO.

Early model

Early model

Early model, a nice
one.

Not the
original sign, probably aftermarked turbo.

A late 590
turbo with the updated cab and a slightly different grille.

The biggest of the rang and the one most
unlike the others. It was powered by a Perkins AD4.318*
engine. Same as the
MF-1080. And replaced
the older MF-1085 . All
here are MK-II(Thanks
to Johan Storgårds for theinformation)

Have found little information about the
MF595, there was at least two versions the MK-I and later the MK-II.

Jesper from Denmark emailed me about the
Turbo version: " I don't
think that the MF 595 ever was delivered with turbo, but a company in
Denmark has developed a exhaust manifold with SCAN turbo charger on. The
companies name is Daubjerg and lays in Copenhagen." Thanks for
the information Jesper.

More
information from Finland: The 595 were delivert with a Turbo charger
from general agent Hankkija in Finland. It had 110 hp and was sold
as MK-II version. Thanks to Johan Storgårds for the information.

If anyone can provide more information
about the MF 595, I would be very happy.

Another "missing" model,
the MF592. One picture found at
Farmphoto.comthe two others sales advertisings in
Nederland.

Picture at left, seller says 1980, but it
seems older, just one door in the cab. the one at right looks like an
early 1980 model with the red cab. Have no info about the MF592, looking
at the pictures it looks much like a 595.

Don't know a thing about this one,
anyone? My email address can be found at page bottom.